St. Paul of the Cross Monastery
Meet the Passionists
in Pittsburgh
Updated
January 14, 2003
Fr. Richard Nalepa was born and grew up in Pittsburgh PA. He attended
St. George Grade and High School in the Hill Top area of Pittsburgh.
He was ordained a Passionist priest on the 29th of May, 1970. Fr.
Nalepa has served as Associate Editor of the Sign Magazine. He received
a Masters Degree in Journalism from Marquette University in 1973.
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Fr. Richard has held the positions of Vice Rector of the Passionist
Monasteries of St. Ann’s, Scranton, PA., and St. Joesph’s, Baltimore, MD.
He was Co-director of seminarians at Worcester, MA. He has also served
the Passionist Preaching Ministry giving Missions and Retreats throughout
the United States. In 1994 Fr. Richard was Associate Director of
St. Ann’s Media which televises Sunday and Daily Mass from St. Ann’s Basilica
in Scranton, PA. In 1998 he served as Vice Rector of St. Ann’s Basilica
and Parochial Vicar of St. Ann’s Parish.
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In 2002 Fr. Richard was elected Rector of St. Paul of the Cross Monastery
in Pittsburgh, PA.
Fr.
Don Ware was born in Pittsburgh in December of 1944. He entered the
Passionist Seminary as a young man, and took his vows in 1965 at St. Paul’s
Monastery. He finished his studies for the priesthood in 1972,
earning two Master’s Degrees, one in Theology and the other in Pastoral
Counseling. After Ordination in 1972 he worked in Passionist Retreat
Centers, ministering to both youth and adults. For fifteen
years before returning to the Pittsburgh Monastery in 2001 he was in charge
of three of the largest Passionist Retreat Centers: 1985 – 1991 Pittsburgh;
1991 – 1994 West Springfield, MA.; and 1994 – 2000 Riverdale (Bronx).
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His experience as a priest includes administration of large retreat movements,
lay leadership training, worship leadership, and preaching the Word of
God. He has also done continuing study in spiritual direction, business
ethics, work spirituality, and elder spirituality.
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Presently Fr. Don is assistant superior of St. Paul’s Monastery in
Pittsburgh, where fourteen Passionist priests and brothers reside.
Fr. Dan was born in Pittsburgh, PA. in February, 1932. Prior to professing
his vows as a Passionist in 1961 he studied at the University of Pittsburgh
and earned a B.B.A. degree. After two years of service in the U.S.Army
he resumed his studies at the University of Pittsburgh and earned his M.B.A.
degree. Dan was employed for three years after his military service
and then joined the Passionist Community in 1960. He professed vows
in 1961 and earned a B.A. and M.A. in his studies for the priesthood.
He was ordained in 1968.
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His ministerial experience include nine years at the Pittsburgh Retreat
Center, as a team member and Retreat Director, eight years as Rector (Superior)
of the Community at St. Paul’s Monastery, two years as Province Personnel
Director, and twelve years in a variety of other ministries involving the
Sacraments, preaching, and spiritual direction.
Fr. Michael Salvagna was born and raised in new York City and joined the
Passionists in 1962. After his ordination in 1969 he began his ministry
of preaching parish renewals and retreats while also being available for
individual prayer for inner healing. From 1991 – 2002 he was Director
of St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in South Side, Pittsburgh, PA.
Communicating the gospel through radio and television is another aspect
of Fr. Michael’s ministry. His daily radio program, “Listen to His
Love,” airs on WEDO, McKeesport, at 9:15AM. Fr. Michael has co-hosted
programs on “Getting Together,” a Christian talk show on WPCB-TV, cornerstone
television, and has preached in various ecumenical settings.
Fr. Tim Fitzgerald, C.P., is a native of Philadelphia. He entered
the Passionist Community in 1948 and was ordained in 1956. After
pursuing further studies in Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in theology,
he remained there for several years working in the general headquarters
of the Passionist Congregation. In 1965 he returned to the States
where he was appointed Master of Novices at St. Paul’s Monastery in Pittsburgh,
PA. Subsequently he taught theology at Duquesne University from 1971
– 1079.
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Presently Fr. Tim is engaged full time in the preaching ministry, conducting
retreats for clergy, religious and laity, along with parish renewals and
adult education workshops. He resides at St. Paul’s Monastery, Pittsburgh.
Fr. Bill was born in 1928 in Pittsburgh, and attended St. George
Parish School and Holy Cross Seminary in Dunkirk, N.Y. He studied
philosophy and theology at St. Micheal’s Passionist Monastery in New Jersey
and Immaculate Conception Passionist Monastery in Jamaica, N.Y. After
ordination in 1956 Fr. Bill conducted Parish Missions and Retreats.
In 1976 he was transferred to St. Joseph spiritual Center in Baltimore,
MD where he conducted youth retreats for four years. In 1980 he moved
to St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, where he served as full time chaplain
for fourteen years – ten of which he was Director of Pastoral Care.
Following that he spent nine years in various parishes: St. Ann’s
Scranton, St. Joseph, Baltimore, and the “Catholic Church of Preston County”,
W.VA.
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For the last four years Fr. Bill has ministered at St. Paul’s Monastery,
Pittsburgh. He preaches Monday Novena Devotions, does spiritual counseling,
preaches at Sunday Masses, and is part time (one day a week) chaplain at
Mercy Hospital.
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